Caffeine Raises Blood Sugar Levels In Type 2 Diabetics

The American Diabetes Association announced the findings of a Duke University study which showed that caffeine raised the blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetics throughout the day and especially after meals. But I thought caffeine was ok for diabetics?Previous studies on the link between caffeine and diabetes had shown that caffeine consumption lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes. Those who drank the most caffeine were the least likely to develop type 2 diabetes. It was these finding that may have lead to the misconception that caffeine had no ill effect on diabetics.

What the Duke University study is now showing is that in people who have type 2 diabetes, caffeine raised their blood sugar levels throughout the day. So even if they drank caffeine in the morning it had an effect on their blood sugar level throughout the entire day making it difficult to keep it under control.

43 replies

If drinking caffine drinks was supposed to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, it failed with me I have always been a big caffine addict. Whether in coffee, tea or some other drink. I have always drank it all the time, day or night. I don't find that it affects my bg #'s at all.

I refuse to give up my coffee. I agree with everyone else, we give up sooo many other things we should be able to have something! Also, I think it goes back to know your body and what it will do to your own numbers.

I am type 1 so this study really has nothing to do with me but, I am a faithful coffee drinker every morning and I have noticed an increase in my blood sugars so I'm personally trying to cut back on how much coffee I drink. One thing may be true for one person and have no effect on the other person. I would just keep a close watch on your caffeine intake and if there is an extreme difference in your blood sugars I would try to make some adjustments. Be encouraged!

I think that's a crock. I drink at least 4 cups of coffee every morning and at least 3 diet cokes throughout the day. I check my sugar every 4 hours. And my levels are always consistent. Never once has it increased throughout the day.

This is why I do not support the ADA. It is not in their best interest to find a cure for type 2. Only to waste money on frivolous research, I found a long time a ago the effect caffeine has on my blood sugar levels. And it is so little I do not focus on it.

I am sorry but this is my last vice. I have to have my cup of coffee in the morning. My uncle got on me for having caffiene two years ago. He learned about it through his diabetic education classes. I asked my doctor and he said he hadn't heard about it. Different clinics i guess.

I am Type 2 and drink a lot of hot or iced tea each day. Liquid of choice. I gave up soda long time ago. However it is "GoodEarth's Original blend tea which is supposed to have a very low caffeine level of only 16 mg/8 oz cup (listed on box). Tea is a blend on black tea, rosehips, cinnamon, chamomile and lemongrass primarily. I am hooked on it. Compare it with coffee, that has a 100 mg of caffeine/8 oz cup. Any comments?

I try to keep a sense of humor about all this dire news that comes at us on a daily or weekly basis. Remember not too many years ago when we were all cautioned about Vitamin D being toxic beyond a certain amount? Now all the doctors are pushing it like mad. How can science do such 180s in such a short span of time?

I agree with you about the news that comes at us daily and weekly. Remember there was a time when eggs were good, then they were bad, then they were good again - not too sure what they are saying about them now. The average person relies on what "they" tell us. From what is on the food labels, ingredients to amounts there in, what's good, what's bad. They say red wine is good for you but you don't see any body pushing plain old red grapes - maybe the alcohol is what is good for you - lol. Anyway, we are basically at the mercy of someone else telling us what is good and bad.

Oh, this is JUST lovely. I'm having enough trouble with the Type 2 and the numbers bouncing around all over the place, and now that I'm down to one cup of coffee a day, they say it's bad for me? What next? And I agree with everyone on the insurance problems. I've avoided going to the VA hospital for treatment because I've watched them let people die, and I don't trust them. My gate-keeper physician for my insurance is almost useless, so I turn to groups like this for advice and help. Keep up the great work, folks. All we really have is each other…aside from Type 2.

Agree 150%…just when we think we have it figured out…even the research seems to recind their claims about various vitamins etc…only to have them take it all back a few years later…it getting so we don't know who or what to believe any more

My thought's on this is Duke University had to come up with something to justify the big bucks they get from ADA. The amount of money that is spent on research each year, Diabetes should have been cured years ago. I have been involved in some research that was a joke. The amount of people that have diabetes should be enough case histories to more than cure the dam disease. When was the last time your doctor really did something for you that helped. I have been a diabetic ( type two ) for 20 years now and the only thing that really works is diet and exercise. Skip

I couldn’t agree more, I think every Diabetic that has had Diabetes for more than 5 years has came to that conclusion. I have had Type 1 for 35 years. When I was diagnosed my DR told I only needed to hold on for a couple more years. There should be a cure in the mid 90’s. But that is when, Insulin was only cost $5.00 a bottle. Pharmaceutical companies found a cash cow, and there are going to milk it until its dry. I and you will never see a cure, just more gadgets to hang on us. My only hope is maybe my Daughter will be cured.

Caffeine does affect my blood sugars. I still drink tea, but have given up cola unless it is Diet Rite… no sugar and no salt. And if I need to drink only the flavors I will- not drinking the cola. Anyone aware if caffiene is in all colas?

I don't care how much they say that caffeine raises the blood sugar, I am not giving up my coffee. I've given up too much already and I have to draw the line here. Besides, I have a VA hospital in Memphis, TN that doesn't seem to worry about my diabetes anyway. In fact, I just got a letter from them last month telling me that they will only provide 100 test strips a year for anyone not on insulin. I'm on metformin and thus, will only get 100 test strips. So, as you can tell, I am bitter about all of this and I will not give up anymore. Besides, six months down the road, they will come up with another study that will show caffeine is good for blood sugar.

You got that right. I feel as though the insurance co. know that we will pay even if we have to skip the rent or not buy food because we need it to survive. The co-pays on my insulin is so high that I can't afford it so I am doing the best I can wthout it. I can't get help because I have a job and insurance even though I live below the poverty level. I'm the only income and I only make $9.50 per hour. After living expenses, there is just not enough money.

and Oh yeah, add all the supplies like test strips, lancets, needles, and the cost of healthy food, a diabetic don't stand a chance. My insurance is through my job. In the past 2 years, 2 people from work have died from diabetic coma's. When we express concern to our bosses, we hear that they pay a lot for our insurance. When I was on my exhusbands insurance, they paid all but $10.00 out of pocket for all doctor's visits, including specialists, and $5.00 copays for perscrips. I just don't understand why a small company can provide this insurance plan and our large company can't. I'm supposted to be on 62 units of insulan a day. I'm not using it because I can't afford it.

I had the same problem when I was working, now that I am retired, I get a better deal on my insulin, needles and strips. Hang in there and do the best that you can. you have my prayers.I am not giving up my coffee, I read that a hot drink afer a meal hepl to digest your food.

Hi Joanie, have you tried getting in touch with the insulin manufacturers? Also talk to your physician if they can provide you with samples instead of throwing them away or giving it to others who doesn't really need the help. I feel for your situation, your diabetes will eventually takes its toll if you don't get the help you need, I am sure you know this already.

I drink one cup of coffee a day,sometimes two and it does not raise my blood sugar either.With private insurance I have now,I have to pay fifty dollars for fifty strips.This is unbelievable.I use to pay a co-payment of ten dollars.Now I only test once a day because I can,t afford fifty dollars every time plus my other medication.

I was allways told that coffee lowers blood sugar because of the caffeine. Caffeine raises alertness, helps you stay more active, and does something else I can't remember. I work in manufacturing. I take a viverine in the morning with a cup of coffee to get me going.

I was very bitter about finding out that I have type 2 diabetes and I am on metformin . I would cry all the time but I eat what I want just as long as I don't eat a bag of Hersey's kisses now I can have 4 a day.I also use real sugar in my coffee. So if your gonna have something that is on the NO list just have very little and DO take your meds and keep checking you sugars

I test 3 times a day. I have type II. I am not on insulin. I am on Medicare. The trick is your Doctor has to approve the additional test strips. My sugars are all over the place. This is my justification for the extra strips. Yesterday I tested 126. The night before that it was at 395. Putting type IIs on insulin is a favorite trick of incompetent Diabetes doctors. It is the "easy way" out. Our cells are hard of hearing. You don't increase the volume with insulin, you make the person deaf. I would rather they went back to bleeding patients to make them well. I use cinnamon in a pot of tea to bring it down. I drink 3 or 4 cups of tea a day minimum. I put 1000 mg of cinnamon in a pot. It works for me. I have kept my A1C at the same levels for two years using supplements and exercise. They are still high. Normally mine rotate between about 150 and 300 depending on how much food I take. The disease is normally progressive and eventually all doctors will put you on insulin of one type or another until that insulin no longer works. Then they will try another type. I suggest 30 minutes of exercise on a bike machine in the winter and plenty of walking in the summer. This is not a cure. It will contain the diabetes making the muscles absorb the excess sugars in your system. What works for me might not work for you. I am not your doctor. But I suggest you fire the person and get one a little less lazy.

I have a Freestyle test kit. I get my strips from OTC Wholesaler on line for59.95 for 100 and no charge for shipping. They come in about 2 days. They have really discounted prices for test strips for all kind of meters. Try the internet for testing supplies. You don't need a prescription to get them. This thing about coffee is nonsense. It has now been shown that it helps with depression, ergo Starbucks started in Seattle where it rains all the time.

I would like to see this study replicated several times before accepting the results. I have been drinking coffe for many years and have "normal" blood sugars most of the time (by "normal" I mean under 160 after a decent meal), and my fasting glucose is below 95. I decided to quit taking Depakot for migraine control because I had been gaining weight too fast, so increased my caffeine consumption. Still glucose levels remain steady.

This is not a good advice or practice at all!!! You are completely in denial of your diagnosis and don't care one way or the other. You need better coping skills and should seek a professional who can better make you understand and help you take a healthier route to keep your diabetes in check.

I hope this will help - diabetes is helped only if you keep it in check, it has been shown that if you accepted your diagnosis and responded positively by doing something about it like changing your lifestyle you will NOT experience the complications like what you are having now. Diabetes IS a responsibility!! Just to note not only diabetes but any chronic condition which any of us can have, so take what is handed to you and treat it like a kid and take care of it so it can behave the way you want it to.